Abstract A38: California State University Fullerton and the University of California Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Partnership for Cancer Health Disparities Research

Abstract

Abstract Background: An important goal of the NIH is to increase the pipeline of investigators into cancer health disparities research. CSUF and UCI-CFCCC established a partnership to conduct pilot research projects in multi-ethnic populations and to mentor early stage investigators and students. The goals were to increase cancer health disparities research and encourage investigators and students to pursue careers in this field. Methods: The Partnership selects projects for funding using NIH criteria. In addition to scientific merit, they must include one investigator from each institution, relate to cancer health disparities, and describe plans to publish scientific manuscripts and to develop extramural grant proposals. An Executive Committee and an Internal Advisory Committee facilitate communication within the Partnership. An external reviewer evaluates the Partnership yearly using the Logic Model. Results: The Partnership has funded six pilot research projects and mentored four early stage investigators and 31 students. The project are: 1) Disparities in Social Support, Isolation and Coping in Cervical Cancer Survivors, 2) Equipping Medical Professionals to Reduce Treatment Related Anxiety and Increase Treatment Procedural Understanding for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Receiving Cancer Treatment, 3) Molecular and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gender Disparities in Early Onset Melanoma, 4) Mi Salud, Mi Vida: A Self-Discovery Tool for Latina Breast Cancer Survivors, 5) National and Local Retail Advertising of E-Cigarettes Aimed at Ethnic Minorities and 6) Collecting HPV Vaccine Decision Narratives and Communication Channel Preferences. Conclusion: The Partnership is achieveing its goals of increasing cancer health disparities research and mentoring early stage investigators and students. We are opitmisic that the national goal of advancing cancer heatlh equity through these efforts will be achieved. Citation Format: Sora Park Tanjasiri, F. Allan Hubbell. California State University Fullerton and the University of California Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Partnership for Cancer Health Disparities Research. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A38.